Does the belief in the permissibility of gradual commitment to the rulings of Sharia, especially for one who fears relapse, while not removing the sin of transgression, make a person an infidel who believes in the permissibility of violating Allah’s law or that a law other than Allah’s is better? And what is the best approach for a new Muslim who did not pray: should he gradually commit, or should he obligate himself to apply all obligations and abstain from all prohibitions at once? And what are the limits of this gradualism?

What you mentioned about gradualism in abandoning sin and repentance is neither disbelief nor a sin; rather, it is valid if there is no other path to repentance, and it is better than persisting in sin. Scholars have permitted this on the condition that the sinner exerts effort in repenting and believes that they are committing something forbidden, and this is not an act of deeming lawful what Allah has forbidden. The general principle is immediate repentance from all sins.

The repentant person should strive to learn the necessary rulings of Islamic law and maintain obedience to Allah by performing obligatory duties and increasing in supererogatory acts. It is not obligatory for them to fully immerse themselves in books of knowledge; rather, they should learn what is necessary for them, and anything beyond that is supererogatory.

The repentant person must associate with righteous and virtuous people, attend circles of remembrance (dhikr) and gatherings of knowledge, increase in supplication and remembrance of Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon the truth.